That sensational strike earned the rising star of Japanese football the accolade of becoming his country’s second-youngest scorer in a World Cup qualifier, just behind the legendary Hidetoshi Nakata. Ideguchi has attracted admirers from across Europe and has been heavily linked with a move to English club Leeds United. Whether he heads to Elland Road or not, a future in European football seems a certainty.
Back in the side after a three-year absence, Morioka’s last appearance for his country came when Brazil and Japan last met on the Brasil Global Tour back in 2014, when the Selecao ran out 4-0 winners in Singapore. The 26-year-old midfielder joined Belgian Pro League side Waasland-Beveren this season and has been in sensational form, hitting six goals and bagging eight assists already.
He emerged in his homeland as a classic No.10, but has since become a more all-action midfielder since leaving his homeland in in 2016 for Polish club Slask Wroclaw. His return to the squad has been a major talking point in Japan and he will be desperate to impress in what appears to be his audition for Halilhodzic’s World Cup squad.
“Despite being heavyweights of Asian football, Japan accept they will face national teams of a much higher quality at the World Cup, which means November’s friendlies against Brazil and Belgium provide an excellent opportunity to test themselves against the sort of opposition they will face in Russia. These two games will tell us much about what we can expect from Japan next year.
“If Halilhodzic’s approach doesn’t work this month, there will be calls to return to a more traditional Japanese style. Star players like Keisuke Honda, Shinji Kagawa and Shinji Okazaki were all left out for these games – the reason for which is not clear – and so the likes of Kazuki Nagasawa, Morioka and Shinzo Kouroki have a huge chance to show that they can step up to the challenge.”
